Online Purchasing of Goods and Services Bill

08 May 2009

Proof of age while shopping online was the subject of debate in the House of Lords on 8 May

The Online Purchasing of Goods and Services (Age Verification) Bill, introduced by Baroness Massey of Darwen, was debated during its second reading - discussion of the general aims and principles of the Bill.

Members with an interest and expertise in the welfare of children, regulation and the use of information technology contributed to the discussion.

Private Members' Bills can be introduced in the House of Lords by any Member who would like to change a law. There is no ballot in the Lords. To become law a Private Members' Bill must go through the same stages as a Government Bill.

The Bill proceeds to committee stage for line by line examination of its content - a date for which is still to be scheduled.